Wolf Watch

Wolf Watch is St. Francis’s weekly e-newsletter to our parent community that shares announcements for each grade level and updates on school activities and events. Wolf Watch is updated weekly throughout the school year, so check back every Sunday for the latest on St. Francis happenings.

For this week’s news, please select the appropriate section below.

News for the Week of September 26

All School

Homecoming Celebration (Sponsored by the Booster Club) Is October 7
Join us for food, fun, and festivities at our Homecoming Celebration (previously known as 5th Quarter) on Thursday, October 7, at 4:30 p.m. on Couper Campus.

We’ll come together to cheer on both our 7/8 Boys Football team and our JV and Varsity Girls Volleyball teams!
- Our 7/8 Boys Football team will play St. John’s at 5:00 p.m. on the Couper Turf Field.
- Our JV and Varsity Girls Volleyball teams will take on Faith West in the Crum Gym at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
DJ London will be on the field-hockey field entertaining our younger Wolves while the teams compete.
James Coney Island and El Patio food trucks will be providing preset meals for $12 each. The Booster Club will be selling drinks and concessions, and the Kona Ice truck will be there selling sweet treats.
To prepurchase food tickets, click here. Tickets will be available for pickup at the ticket table on the day of the event. Presale tickets will be available through the evening of Monday, October 4. Note: Drinks, concessions, and Kona Ice will be cash purchase only.
In order to accommodate the large crowd, there will be off-site parking at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, with shuttle buses to and from Couper Campus.
More details will be shared in next week's Wolf Watch.

A Note About the St. Francis Fund
The St. Francis Fund has officially kicked off! We have a dedicated and enthusiastic group of parent volunteers who will be reaching out to you soon. In the meantime, here are some interesting facts about the St. Francis Fund:

Last year, 87 percent of parents gave to the St. Francis Fund; our goal is to surpass that number this year.
91 percent of faculty and staff and 100% of the Board of Trustees have already given to the St. Francis Fund this year!
Many companies—including Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Goldman Sachs, and others—will match your tax-deductible St. Francis Fund donation, doubling your impact. Check with your employer to see if they participate in a gift-matching program.
You can pledge online now, and you don’t have to pay until June 30, 2022. This is a great option if you want to participate in the St. Francis Fund now, but for tax purposes don’t want to make an actual donation until later.
You can sign up online to make a recurring gift that is automatically charged to your credit card weekly, monthly, or every three months.
You can donate stock. While each individual situation is different, donating stock could help you avoid capital gains tax, which can make giving appreciated stock even more beneficial than giving cash.
Contact Sandy August with any questions or for more information.

Make your gift or pledge to the St. Francis Fund today!

Gala 2022: See You at Studio 52!
The Gala countdown has begun! Save the Date for February 5, 2022. This year's Gala chairs, Kim Graeter and Jen McDonald, and the Gala Committee are planning a spectacularly unique evening that you won't want to miss. More details soon!

Don’t Miss Out: Sporting Clays Classic Invitation Deadline Extended!
Attention, all interested sponsors and shooters! This Wednesday, September 29, is the deadline to be included in our Sporting Clays Classic invitation, which will be mailed out in early October. Don’t forget to round up your team or take advantage of opportunities that deliver brand visibility through exclusive signage and print recognition, while supporting our sixth annual Sporting Clays Classic, presented by Collectors Firearms.

AVAILABLE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

$1,250—Double Down Game (2 available)
$300—Station Sponsors (Several available)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Check out the event website to discover the various ways you can participate in this special St. Francis event, which helps us transform our student’s lives.
Please note that this event is not just for our school community; it’s also a chance to entertain clients, reconnect with former classmates, and introduce new families to our school.
A big thank-you to our sponsors and teams who have committed their support!
With questions, please email Martha Chavez.

COVID Dashboard: Weekly Update
St. Francis is updating the following COVID Dashboard weekly to track the number of active cases and total year-to-date cases for students and faculty/staff. This dashboard can also be found on the Parent Portal.

COVID Dashboard - Updated 09/23/21

Support the Home Team!
The Booster Club invites you to come out and support our Wolves at this week’s home games. We will be selling concessions at all games—most items are $1. Exact change is much appreciated. Click here and scroll to Upcoming Events to see the game schedule for the week.

Primary School

From the Division Head
October 4 kicks off Spirit Week for St. Francis, and our youngest Wolves will have opportunities to participate in the fun! The morning of Thursday, October 7, Primary I and Primary II students will join the Upper School students for a pep rally. All Primary School children may wear spirit wear on Thursday.

Thursday afternoon, Primary School families are invited to join us for food, fun, and festivities at Couper Campus as our 7/8 Boys Football team takes on St. John’s on the Couper Turf Field. Meanwhile, our Upper School Girls Volleyball teams will be playing Faith West in the Crum Gym.

Details to follow!

Warmly,

Kenyetta Wynn, EdD
Head of Primary School

We’ll come together to cheer on both our 7/8 Boys Football team and our JV and Varsity Girls Volleyball teams!
- Our 7/8 Boys Football team will play St. John’s at 5:00 p.m. on the Couper Turf Field.
- Our JV and Varsity Girls Volleyball teams will take on Faith West in the Crum Gym at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
DJ London will be on the field-hockey field entertaining our younger Wolves while the teams compete.
James Coney Island and El Patio food trucks will be providing preset meals for $12 each. The Booster Club will be selling drinks and concessions, and the Kona Ice truck will be there selling sweet treats.
To prepurchase food tickets, click here. Tickets will be available for pickup at the ticket table on the day of the event. Presale tickets will be available through the evening of Monday, October 4. Note: Drinks, concessions, and Kona Ice will be cash purchase only.
In order to accommodate the large crowd, there will be off-site parking at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, with shuttle buses to and from Couper Campus.
More details will be shared in next week's Wolf Watch.

Mark Your Calendar

Monday, September 27

Picture Day for 3-Day and 5-Day Primary School Students
Primary School Open Library: 3:00–4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 28

Picture Day for 2-Day Primary School Students
Chapel: 9:30 a.m.; Primary II attends in person

Wednesday, September 29

Chapel: 9:30 a.m.; Primary I attends in person

Thursday, September 30

Primary School Admissions Tour: 9:30 a.m.

Monday, October 4–Friday, October 8

Spirit Week

Tuesday, October 5

Blessing of the Stuffed Animals Chapel: 9:30 a.m.; Primary II attends in person
Furry Friend Picnic (Students Only)
Primary School Open Library: 3:00–4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 6

Blessing of the Stuffed Animals Chapel: 9:30 a.m.; Primary I attends in person
Pre-Primary Blessing of the Stuffed Animals: In classrooms

Thursday, October 7

Upper and Primary School Pep Rally: 11:25 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Homecoming Celebration: Begins at 4:30 p.m. at Couper Campus

Monday, October 11

Fall Break: School closed

Tuesday, October 12

Chapel: 9:30 a.m.; Primary II attends in person

Wednesday, October 13

Chapel: 9:30 a.m.; Primary I attends in person

Lower School

From the Division Head
The St. Francis Honor Code is a common thread between all four divisions. In Lower School, in addition to the Honor Code, our students create a social contract that outlines norms that we all agree to follow.

Over the last few weeks, students in grades K–4 worked collaboratively to discuss and identify ways that all should behave and engage with one another to achieve the individual goals we shared at Welcome to the Den conferences.

Each homeroom brought their agreed-upon expectations to a grade-level meeting, where students at that grade level drafted norms based on each homeroom’s ideas. Next, representatives from each grade level met and combined grade-level norms into one document—the Lower School Social Contract. The student representatives took the lead in combining each grade level’s ideas to ensure that the document is truly representative of all contributors. All students sign the contract, and it is displayed in our hallways for all to see. Each classroom also has copies to serve as reminders of the contract.

This year’s social contract is below:

The Lower School 2021–22 Social Contract
Be kind, respectful, and a person for others.
Be cooperative, be a good listener, and stay on track.
Be safe and have fun.
Believe in yourself, be brave, and try your best.

Please support our Lower School Social Contract by discussing this with your child. We want to ensure that all students have a safe and supportive learning environment in which to thrive.

I look forward to seeing each of you at carpool this week!

Kindly,

Clifton Walker, MEd
Head of Lower School

We’ll come together to cheer on both our 7/8 Boys Football team and our JV and Varsity Girls Volleyball teams!
- Our 7/8 Boys Football team will play St. John’s at 5:00 p.m. on the Couper Turf Field.
- Our JV and Varsity Girls Volleyball teams will take on Faith West in the Crum Gym at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
DJ London will be on the field-hockey field entertaining our younger Wolves while the teams compete.
James Coney Island and El Patio food trucks will be providing preset meals for $12 each. The Booster Club will be selling drinks and concessions, and the Kona Ice truck will be there selling sweet treats.
To prepurchase food tickets, click here. Tickets will be available for pickup at the ticket table on the day of the event. Presale tickets will be available through the evening of Monday, October 4. Note: Drinks, concessions, and Kona Ice will be cash purchase only.
In order to accommodate the large crowd, there will be off-site parking at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, with shuttle buses to and from Couper Campus.
More details will be shared in next week's Wolf Watch.

Last Week to Purchase Memory Books
This is the last week to purchase Fourth-Grade Memory Books (for last school year).

These beautiful Shutterfly keepsakes are grade-specific and capture class parties, seasonal events, special days like the Pumpkin Carving Contest, and even distance learning. Remember to order for your child’s grade LAST YEAR.
Click here to buy your memory books today.
With questions, email Jessica Williams.

Mark Your Calendar

Monday, September 27

Chapel for Grades 3–4
- 8:20 a.m. in the St. Francis Episcopal Church Sanctuary
- August 15–30 and September 26–October 2 birthdays will be celebrated
Parent Meeting for Grades 2–4 ("How to Help Your Child With Home Practice and Reading"): 8:55 a.m. in the Wheatcroft Parish Hall

Wednesday, September 29

Parent Meeting for Kindergarten and Grade 1 ("Early Literacy"): 9:00 a.m. in the Wheatcroft Parish Hall

Thursday, September 30

Chapel for Kindergarten Through Grade 2
- 8:20 a.m. in the St. Francis Episcopal Church Sanctuary
- Celebrating September 26–October 2 birthdays
Individual Pictures for All of Lower School

Monday, October 4

Feast of St. Francis Eucharist for Grades 3–4
- 8:20 a.m. in the St. Francis Episcopal Church Sanctuary
- Celebrating October 3–9 birthdays
Grade 4 Blessing of the Animals: 9:00 a.m. in the Courtyard

Monday, October 4–Friday, October 8

Homecoming and Spirit Week
- Monday, October 4—Pajama Day
- Tuesday, October 5—Under the Stars (Astronauts, aliens, stars, planets, etc.)
- Wednesday, October 6—Western Wednesday (Western wear)
- Thursday, October 7—Blue Out Spirit Day (Wear your St. Francis navy!)
- Friday, October 8—Hippie Day (Tie-dye, jeans, etc.)

Wednesday, October 6

Late-Start Day: Classes begin at 10:00 a.m.
- Regular Carpool: 7:00–8:00 a.m.; students will be supervised by staff in the Dining Hall
- Late-Start Carpool: 9:30–9:55 a.m.; students will be supervised in the Dining Hall until 9:50 a.m., when they will be released to go to class

Thursday, October 7

Chapel for Kindergarten Through Grade 2
- 8:20 a.m. in the St. Francis Episcopal Church Sanctuary
- Celebrating October 3-9 birthdays
Lower and Middle School Pep Rally: 2:05 p.m. on Piney Point Field; student-only event
Homecoming Celebration: Begins at 4:30 p.m. at Couper Campus

Monday, October 11

Fall Holiday: School closed

Thursday, October 14

Chapel for Kindergarten Through Grade 2
- 8:20 a.m. in the St. Francis Episcopal Church Sanctuary
- Celebrating October 10-16 birthdays

Monday, October 18

Chapel for Grades 3–4
- 8:20 a.m. in the St. Francis Episcopal Church Sanctuary
- Celebrating October 10-23 birthdays

Middle School

From the Division Head
The Middle School kicks off St. Francis Homecoming with a fall dance this Friday, October 1. Our students are really excited about the event, and Coach T met with all students in grades 6–8 to speak about dance etiquette, theme, and dress code this week. We know the students are ready, and we look forward to having some fun with your kids on Friday!

The week of October 4 will also be action-packed, filled with events and activities dedicated to recognizing students and cocurricular programs. The week will feature activities including Spirit Dress days, home athletic competitions, and a sports recognition pep rally.

Plus, a special Homecoming Celebration event on Thursday, October 7, will include a seventh- and eighth-grade football game and Upper School volleyball matches. Details for this event are found immediately below. I hope you are able to join us for some of the athletic competitions on campus!

Go Wolves!

Chris Bertha, MA
Head of Middle School

We’ll come together to cheer on both our 7/8 Boys Football team and our JV and Varsity Girls Volleyball teams!
- Our 7/8 Boys Football team will play St. John’s at 5:00 p.m. on the Couper Turf Field.
- Our JV and Varsity Girls Volleyball teams will take on Faith West in the Crum Gym at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
DJ London will be on the field-hockey field entertaining our younger Wolves while the teams compete.
James Coney Island and El Patio food trucks will be providing preset meals for $12 each. The Booster Club will be selling drinks and concessions, and the Kona Ice truck will be there selling sweet treats.
To prepurchase food tickets, click here. Tickets will be available for pickup at the ticket table on the day of the event. Presale tickets will be available through the evening of Monday, October 4. Note: Drinks, concessions, and Kona Ice will be cash purchase only.
In order to accommodate the large crowd, there will be off-site parking at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, with shuttle buses to and from Couper Campus.
More details will be shared in next week's Wolf Watch.

A Note About Winter Sports Selections
Students will be surveyed this coming week for their winter sports selections. Offerings for the winter season include boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, boys’ soccer, girls’ soccer, coed swimming, wrestling, and physical education.

The majority of the swim team practices are done on the student’s own time; however, the team does compete in meets as a school team. Students who wish to earn Athletics credit for swimming must maintain a regular practice schedule (minimum of three hours per week) outside of school.
Basketball and soccer programs will use facilities on Piney Point Campus and Couper Campus. Practices and games may be scheduled on either campus throughout the season.
Wrestling will take place on the Piney Point Campus. Physical education classes will take place on the Piney Point Campus.

DUAL-SPORT REQUESTS
Parents of students who are interested in participating in more than one sport in a particular season should email T Riley, director of athletics.

Dual-sport requests will be considered for teams with an individual component (swimming and wrestling for the winter season).
Team sports will take priority over a secondary sport. For example, if there is a team sport game and an individual sport competition on the same day, the team sport game will take priority. Students will attend team sport practices each day unless there is an individual sport competition on that same day.
We are not able to approve all dual-sport requests.

Please discuss the options for winter sports with your student(s) so they are prepared to complete the brief survey this week. These selections are very important for planning purposes.

Middle School Pictures Are Wednesday
Students will have individual pictures taken this Wednesday, September 29. Students should wear their dress uniform for photos. Order forms were sent home with your child last week and should be returned on the day of, or before, photo day. You may also purchase photos online at www.PrepayOrders.com with the Flyer Code of SFEMIDDLE2021.

Middle School Fall Dance Is October 1
We will be hosting a Middle School Fall Dance on Friday, October 1, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Piney Point Gym, and doors will close at 7:30 p.m.

The theme for the dance is “Under the Stars.” Student dress is casual, and students can dress according to the theme if they wish. For questions regarding appropriate dress, please consult page 38 of the Middle School Handbook, which is available on the Parent Portal.

Spirit Week and Spirit Dress Days
The theme for Spirit Week is “Under the Stars.” Students not participating in spirit dress are expected to wear their school uniform. It is our expectation that all costumes will be in good taste and that students will be appropriately covered at all times. No sleeveless tops, please!

Monday, October 4—Pajama Day
Tuesday, October 5—Space Day (Astronauts, aliens, stars, planets, etc.)
Wednesday, October 6—Western Wednesday (Western wear)
Thursday, October 7—White Out Spirit Day (White tops and bottoms are appropriate!)
Friday, October 8—Hippie Day (Tie-dye, jeans, etc.)

Fifth Grade Families: Last Week to Purchase Memory Books
This is the last week to purchase Fourth-Grade Memory Books (for last school year).

These beautiful Shutterfly keepsakes are grade-specific and capture class parties, seasonal events, special days like the Pumpkin Carving Contest, and even distance learning. Remember to order for your child’s grade LAST YEAR.
Click here to buy your memory books today.
With questions, email Jessica Williams.

Mark Your Calendar

Monday, September 27

"D" Day
Regular Uniform
Middle School Chapel: 9:21–9:46 a.m.

Tuesday, September 28

"E" Day
Regular Uniform
Bible Studies (Grade 8 Girls/Grade 7 Boys and Girls): 7:15–7:45 a.m. in the Christian Education rooms at the end of the Middle School hallway
St. Francis Connections Series Lunch and Learn: 11:30–12:45 p.m.

Wednesday, September 29

"B" Day
Dress Uniform
Middle School Student Photos
Bible Study (Grade 8 Boys): 7:15–7:45 a.m. in the Christian Education rooms at the end of the Middle School hallway

Thursday, September 30

"A" Day
Regular Uniform
Bible Studies (Grade 6 Boys and Girls): 7:15–7:45 a.m. in the Christian Education rooms at the end of the Middle School hallway
Middle School Chapel: 9:21–9:46 a.m.

Friday, October 1

"C" Day
SFES Spirit Wear With Uniform Bottoms or Blue Jeans: No athletic shorts
Bible Studies (Grade 5 Boys and Girls): 7:15–7:45 a.m. in the Christian Education rooms at the end of the Middle School hallway
Middle School Fall Dance for Grades 6–8: 7:00–9:00 p.m. in the Piney Point Gym

Monday, October 4–Friday, October 8

Spirit Week

Monday, October 4

"D" Day
Pajama Day Dress
Middle School Eucharist Chapel: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 5

"E" Day
Space Day Dress: Astronauts, aliens, stars, planets, etc.
Bible Studies (Grade 8 Girls/Grade 7 Boys and Girls): 7:15–7:45 a.m. in the Christian Education rooms at the end of the Middle School hallway

Wednesday, October 6

"A" Day
Late Start: Classes begin at 10:00 a.m.
Western Wear Dress
No Bible Study or PE

Thursday, October 7

"B" Day
White Out Spirit Wear: White tops and bottoms are appropriate
Bible Studies (Grade 6 Boys and Girls): 7:15–7:45 a.m. in the Christian Education rooms at the end of the Middle School hallway
Middle School Chapel: 9:21–9:46 a.m.
Middle School Pep Rally: 2:05 p.m. at Piney Point Campus; student-only event
Homecoming Celebration: Begins at 4:30 p.m. at Couper Campus

Friday, October 8

"A" Day
Hippie Day: Tie-dye, jeans, etc.

Monday, October 11

Fall Break: No school

Upper School

From the Division Head
The Upper School kicks off St. Francis Homecoming with Spirit Week, beginning October 4. Our students are really excited about the event, and Mr. Baber has been meeting with our Student Council to discuss how to interpret the theme, what games and competitions we will have, and how we build energy.

This week is action-packed with events and activities dedicated to recognizing students and cocurricular programs, featuring Spirit Dress days, home athletic competitions, a sports recognition pep rally, and a special Homecoming Celebration event on Thursday, October 7—complete with a Middle School football game and Upper School volleyball matches.

At this event, St. Francis families from all divisions are invited to join in the fun and fellowship. There will be games and activities for Lower and Primary School children, as well as food trucks so families can grab dinner or dessert. Additional details about this event can be found immediately below. I hope to see you there!

Go Wolves!

Marc Addington, MA
Head of Upper School

We’ll come together to cheer on both our 7/8 Boys Football team and our JV and Varsity Girls Volleyball teams!
- Our 7/8 Boys Football team will play St. John’s at 5:00 p.m. on the Couper Turf Field.
- Our JV and Varsity Girls Volleyball teams will take on Faith West in the Crum Gym at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
DJ London will be on the field-hockey field entertaining our younger Wolves while the teams compete.
James Coney Island and El Patio food trucks will be providing preset meals for $12 each. The Booster Club will be selling drinks and concessions, and the Kona Ice truck will be there selling sweet treats.
To prepurchase food tickets, click here. Tickets will be available for pickup at the ticket table on the day of the event. Presale tickets will be available through the evening of Monday, October 4. Note: Drinks, concessions, and Kona Ice will be cash purchase only.
In order to accommodate the large crowd, there will be off-site parking at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, with shuttle buses to and from Couper Campus.
More details will be shared in next week's Wolf Watch.

Spirit Week/Homecoming Dance Dates and Details
Please find details about our upcoming Spirit Week events and Upper School Homecoming Dance below.

Important Dates

Monday, October 4–Friday, October 8—Spirit Week
Wednesday, October 6, at 6:15 p.m.—US Boys Volleyball vs. Kinkaid, in Crum Gym
Thursday, October 7, at 11:25 a.m.–12:00 p.m.—Primary and Upper School Pep Rally (Homecoming Court Presentation)
Thursday, October 7, at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.—US Girls JV and Varsity Volleyball Game vs. Faith West Academy
Saturday, October 9—Cross-Country at St. John’s Maverick Ramble
Saturday, October 16, 8:00–10:30 p.m.—Homecoming Dance on Couper Campus

SPIRIT WEEK
The theme for the week is “Under the Stars.” Students who do not participate in the assigned costumes for dress-up days must wear their school uniforms. As always, the Code of Conduct is in place. It is our expectation that all costumes will be in good taste and that students will be appropriately covered at all times.

Monday, October 4—Pajama Day
Tuesday, October 5—Under the Stars (Astronauts, aliens, stars, planets, etc.)
Wednesday, October 6—Western Wednesday (Western wear)
Thursday, October 7—Blue Out Spirit Day (Wear your St. Francis navy!)
Friday, October 8—Hippie Day (Tie-dye, jeans, etc.)

UPPER AND PRIMARY SCHOOL Pep Rally AND Homecoming Court Presentation
On Thursday, October 7, Upper School students will be hosting a pep rally for our neighbors in the Primary School. This is a very sweet and memorable tradition that began when the Upper School was founded.

We will crown a Homecoming Court! The Homecoming Court comprises seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen. Two winners will be chosen from each class. Parents of Homecoming Court members who would like to attend the pep rally should arrive in Crum Gym no later than 11:25 a.m.

HOMECOMING DANCE
On Saturday, October 16, St. Francis will host the Upper School Homecoming Dance. The dance will take place from 8:00 to 10:30 p.m. in the Crum Gym on Couper Campus. Students must arrive no later than 8:30 p.m. Here are some additional details:

Food—Dinner will not be provided, so we encourage students to eat beforehand.
Guests—Students wanting to bring a guest must pick up a form from Ms. Urbanek and return it, signed and completed, by Tuesday, October 12.
Dates—We are a small school and want to limit social pressure as much as possible. We are strongly encouraging students to come as friends and with friends. Students should not feel the need to ask a date or have a date to attend the dance. We anticipate the majority will come solo/with a group of friends. We are messaging this to them, as we just want them to attend and have fun.
Dress Code—The dance is semiformal, so suits and party attire are fine.
Theme—The theme for the evening is "Under the Stars."
Behavior—As with all school functions, we have a zero-tolerance policy related to any substance abuse or tobacco (including vaping). This policy applies to guests, as well.

Mark Your Calendar

Monday, September 27

“B” Day
Regular School Uniform

Tuesday, September 28

“A” Day
Regular School Uniform

Wednesday, September 29

"B" Day
Regular School Uniform
Upper School Chapel: 10:00–10:35 a.m.

Thursday, September 30

“A” Day
Regular School Uniform

Friday, October 1

“B” Day
Regular School Uniform
Upper School Chapel: 10:00–10:35 a.m.
Trimester 1 Midpoint

Monday, October 4–Friday, October 8

Spirit Week

Monday, October 4

“A” Day
Dress Uniform
Upper School Feast of St. Francis of Assisi Eucharist Chapel: 10:00–10:45 a.m.

Tuesday, October 5

"B" Day

Wednesday, October 6

"A" Day
Upper School Late Start: 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, October 7

"B" Day
Upper School Admissions Tour: 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Upper and Primary School Pep Rally: 11:25 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Homecoming Celebration: Begins at 4:30 p.m. at Couper Campus

Friday, October 8

"A" Day
Upper School Chapel: 10:00–10:35 a.m.

Saturday, October 16

Upper School Homecoming Dance: 8:00–10:30 p.m. in the Crum Gym on Couper Campus

Church

Blessing of the Animals Is October 3
St. Francis’s annual Blessing of the Animals will be held in the school courtyard at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 3. We have a special place in our hearts for all God’s creatures, so come with your special pet and receive a blessing. In addition:

There will be a very special short liturgy in the church.
We’ll have treats available for your four-legged friends, and you can get a photo taken with your pet.
You’ll be able to interact with a police horse and a police dog, see animals for adoption from the Houston Humane Society, and visit with a local veterinarian and members of Citizens for Animal Protection.
We’ll be collecting donations of dog and cat food to give to the Houston Humane Society.

For more information, email Allison Devlin or call the church office at 713.782.1270.

Donate to Kitty’s Coat Drive
Several years ago, teachers in the Spring Branch Independent School District noticed that many children were not wearing coats during a year of cold winter weather. As a result, MAM was asked to help collect coats and distribute them to children in need. St. Francis Episcopal Church and St. Francis Episcopal School answered the call.

In honor of Kitty Elliott, who organized the original coat drive, it has been officially named “The Kitty Elliott Coat Drive.”

Collection areas will be set up at St. Francis Episcopal Church on Sunday, October 10, and Sunday, October 17. Please bring coat donations on these Sundays or to the church office during the week.

In-Person Worship
The Holy Eucharist is offered at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. We also offer an evening Eucharist on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing all those who are ready to return. For those who are not comfortable returning to in-person worship, we will continue to livestream our worship service on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Access the livestream via our church website, YouTube channel, or Facebook page. Instructions for livestreaming are included at the bottom of this section.

Moms, Join Us for Bible Study
The SFES Moms' Bible Study resumes on September 21, meeting on Tuesdays at 8:15 a.m. and led by Allison Devlin, director of family ministry. Please contact Allison via email or at 713.882.0725 for more meeting details.

Cub Scout Pack 1703 Is Gearing Up for Full Activities
Cub Scout Pack 1703 is getting ready for the 2021–22 school year. Cub Scouts will be back to full activities, including den meetings, campouts, the rocket launch, and the pinewood derby. We welcome new and existing Scouts in incoming kindergarten through grade 4, along with parent volunteers. Email David Nelson for more information.

Join Ms. Devlin for In-Person Let It Shine!
Join Ms. Devlin each Sunday for in-person Let It Shine! Children's Bible Breakout. All children from Pre-K to middle school are invited to participate.

Middle School Bible Study
We invite your Middle School–aged children to meet for Bible study each Sunday after the 9:00 a.m. service.

Who: Middle School students
What: Bible study and fellowship
When: Meets every Sunday after the 9:00 a.m. Family Worship Service
Where: CE212 (GLOW room, upstairs above church office)
Why: New study on The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

For more information, please contact Allison Devlin via email or at 713.882.0725.

High School Bible Study: New Series
The high school Bible study continues meeting every other week at the Houston Racquet Club, with the next meeting planned for Wednesday, October 6. We'll meet at 6:30 p.m. to have dinner and to study The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. For additional information, please contact Allison Devlin via email or at 713.882.0725.

Help Meet MAM's Updated Supply Needs
In the wake of COVID, many families continue to need assistance. Memorial Assistance Ministries’ pantry teams currently need nonperishable food items with which to pack sack lunches, such as:

Tuna Lunch To-Go
Individually wrapped protein bars/granola bars
Small cans of Vienna Sausage
Individual packs of trail mix
Individually wrapped cheese/peanut butter crackers
Individually wrapped fruit strips

For additional information, contact our church liaison, Andrea Eubanks, via email or at 713.859.1448.

Fair Haven Food Pantry Needs Diapers
The Fair Haven Food Pantry needs our help! The ministry, which has been providing food assistance to people in the Spring Branch/Memorial area since 1975, has requested donations of size 5–6 diapers in September.

The pantry also needs your help to sort and box produce from the Houston Food Bank and to distribute food boxes in the drive-through pickup line.
To volunteer, please click here.
For additional information, email Jessica Antel.

Share Your Prayer Requests Online
Share your prayer requests with us using the “Prayer Requests” link on the St. Francis Episcopal Church home page. Please feel free to submit prayer requests for yourself or for someone you know. All prayer requests are confidential and will not be added to the spoken prayer list, but will be prayed for by our staff and Pastoral Care Council over two months.

Upcoming Events and Days to Remember at St. Francis
St. Francis is hosting the following events, either in-person, via Zoom, or both. To join a Zoom event listed below, please click the provided link or copy and paste it into your web browser’s address bar. Then, enter the meeting ID and passcode when prompted.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Wednesday, September 29, at 6:00 p.m.: Grand Night of Singing (Broadway musical tunes)
Sunday, October 3, at 10:00 a.m.: Outreach Sunday; make sandwiches for LOTS
Sunday, October 3, at 4:00 p.m.: Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 10, and Sunday, October 17: Kitty's Coat Drive

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDIES

Wednesdays at 9:00–10:00 a.m.
- Study: New study on the book Bad Girls of the Bible and What We Can Learn From Them by Liz Curtis Higgs
- Contact: Louise Richman
- Zoom Meeting Link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/651248716
- To participate, email Louise Richman.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY

Tuesdays at 7:00–8:00 a.m.
- Study: Acts and After You Believe
- Contact: Martin O'Malley
Second Tuesday of each month at 8:00–9:30 a.m. (Next meeting is October 12)
- Meeting: The Men of St. Francis Breakfast and Bible Study
- Location: Wheatcroft Parish Hall
- Contact: The Rev. Stuart Bates
Thursdays at 6:30–8:00 a.m.
- Study: Acts of the Apostles
- Contact: The Rev. Stuart Bates
- Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84213782442
  - Meeting ID: 842 1378 2442
  - Passcode: 1c6HEL

ADULT BIBLE STUDY

Sundays at 10:00–11:00 a.m.
- Study: The Book of Job
- Location: Hogan Board Room (St. Francis Episcopal School)
- Contact: George Hippard
- Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81068388948
  - Meeting ID: 810 6838 8948
  - Passcode: 767200

CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS—BIBLE STUDIES AND MEETINGS

Sundays at 10:00–10:45 a.m.
- Meeting: GLOW Middle School
- Study: C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters
- Location: Classroom CE212
- Contact: Allison Devlin
Wednesdays at 6:30–8:00 p.m. (Every other week; next meeting is October 6)
- Meeting: High School Dinner and Bible Study
- Study: C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters
- Location: Houston Racquet Club
- Contact: Allison Devlin

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION AND PRAYER

Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m.
- Meeting: Christian Meditation
- Contact: Fr. David Price
- In-Person Meeting Place: The Bride's Room
- Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/203726298
  - Meeting ID: 203 726 298
  - Passcode: 05741
Wednesday Night Eucharist, Program, and Dinner ($10 per person)
- Contact: Fr. David Price
- Location: Church and Wheatcroft Parish Hall
Thursdays at 7:00 a.m.
- Meeting: Christian Meditation
- Contact: Fr. David Price
- In-Person Meeting Place: The Bride's Room
- Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/203726298
  - Meeting ID: 203 726 298
  - Passcode: 057417
Thursdays at 8:15–8:45 a.m.
- Meeting: Prayer Session (We read Scripture and go through a prayer cycle of praise, confession, thanksgiving, and intercession.)
- Contact: Heather Burkhart
- Zoom Meeting Link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79725936159
  - Meeting ID: 797 2593 6159
  - Passcode: 678123
Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.
- Meeting: Spiritual Enrichment
- Contact: Fr. David Price
- Location: The Bride's Room

How to Watch Sunday Service Via Livestream
If you would like to join St. Francis Episcopal Church’s 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. Sunday service via livestream, here’s how to watch:

Open an Internet browser on your computer, laptop, or phone. Type in the St. Francis website—sfch.org.
Click on the “Watch Live Stream Worship Services” button. Either the 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. service will be available. If you prefer to watch from Facebook or YouTube, click on the links to go to those streaming servers.

Prelude music will begin on the livestream 10 minutes before the service to allow time for your connection and your inspiration. If you miss the live video, a recording of the service will also be available on St. Francis's YouTube channel.